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No customers inside when San Diego businesses reopen

Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce modifications to his order later this week and allow more businesses to safely open.

Author: County News Center, Abbie Alford (Reporter)

Published: 8:45 PM PDT May 6, 2020

Updated: 4:52 AM PDT May 7, 2020

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — As more San Diego County businesses prepare to reopen, it is important to remember that only curbside pick-up will be allowed, and no customers should be inside the premises.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce modifications to his order later this week and allow more businesses to safely open.

But before businesses can reopen, they need to create a Safe Reopening Plan, which ensures the safety of employees and customers. A template is available now that businesses will need to complete, print and post the plan at their entrance. The plan, which also ensures proper sanitation, physical distancing and general business practices, may need to be updated, and displayed again, depending on direction from the state.

The governor announced that retail and manufacturing businesses with curbside pick-up will be allowed to reopen because they represent a lower risk of spreading COVID-19. Among them:

Bookstores

Clothing stores

Toy stores

Florists

Sporting goods

The County recognizes that business owners and the public are anxious for more businesses to reopen, but their reopening is aligned with the easing of the governor’s order and must be done safely.

When they open their doors, businesses must ensure that social distancing and the face covering guidelines are being followed to prevent or slow the spread of the virus.

The owner of the popular pizza house, Napoleone's in National City says although restaurants are not allowed to reopen for dine-in, he already has a plan that would operate at half capacity.

"Now what is going to happen? How do we get the same kind of revenue with half of the tables?" asked Peter Crivello.

The owner is also concerned that once restaurants reopen, the rush of customers wanting to dine-in mixed with high demand for take-out and keeping everyone safe.

"How do you not taint those customers with an hour and half wait time because now you are taking on more to go’s and delivery," said Crivello.

County health officials believe San Diegans will continue to do the right thing.

“We have confidence in our residents and businesses,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Everyone has done a great job and that is why numbers are trending in the right direction.”